Martinsburg daily gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1887-1887, 1887-04-05
MYSTERY SOLVED AT LAST
THE GREAT QUESTION or WHO is
kISSANE /" ANSWERED.

sane, and the Reason why He Assumed
SAN FRANCISCO, April AT last the mys-
terry is solved and the question, 'sWho is Kis-
sanef that set the city by the ears for the
past week, is answered. William Kissane is
known here as William K. Rogers, wealthy
farmer of Sonoma county. There are many
strongly romantic features in the story, not
the least remarkable being the fact that Kis-
sane has a brother living in San Francisco
under another name, AMI who Is one Of her
most influential citizens 1t is this brothers
influence, embarrassing, as it does railroad
and legal and Masonic circles, that has so ef
iNfectnally stopped the publication OF the ex
pose. Although the name was known Fri
day night, AMI although it is known that
more than paper had the full story in
type. not one word was printed Sunday
morning and Sunday evening. the New York
dispatches concerning the matter were sup
pressed
A German paper-the Demokrat-
broke the compact OF silence. Kissanes
story this. He had a shoe factory in Gin.
Nclnnati IN 1888, which burned down in mys
teriolls manner one night. The fire also de
stroyed All adjoining soap factory of Pope d
COrder, bringing the families OF the members
of this firm to ieggary A son in law Of
Pope. narne,l Darr, came to California few
years ago recognized kissane, and notified
the Chemical bank. After the fire Nissan
and others chartered the steamer Martha
/ Washington, and ostensibly loaded her wicl
boots and shoes During her trip the steamer
was destroyed by fire, Nseveral lives being
Kissane joined Walkers Nicaragua expedi.
tion, deserted Nin 1861 and went to Virginia
City New. There he entered into partner
ship with man named Grissom, who re
Gently died in the poor house, and Hender
son, now wealthy man OF SAINT, Clara
county. Together they obtained y mime,
paying Sl5,WM month, which sour made
them rich
Rogers, with his share, bought tn. old
Surf estate, near Sonolla, and settled down
into country life. As w X. Rogers ne be
came firm friend of Col Peter ID, tahrle,
and was associated with him in ,.iiirtni
building 1871. He became Goa lty super
visor, was made president Of the board in
/ 1872 AMI has served without lutrrui,to
ever Siuce
Though the present disclosures is the fist
in nature Of public sensation it is by no
means the first with which he has been
threatened. In a quarrel-wi.h Sonoma
county paper in 1879 Rogers' carsst was
limited at, and from what can be learned the
old man has been pretty freely bie,l He is
big, tall fellow, carrying his years and exper.
fence wonderfully well, lives in cool STYLE
and is father Of two children and stepfatheI
to two grown up daughters, having married
widow He enjoys the reputation of being
an extremely char liable and most indulgent
parent Kissane's fam lily reaches from high
to low. AT the top Douds the extremely
prominent citizen referred to; next comes
Rogers and last comes a reamster also Twin
in San Francisco, who still keeps the name O
Kissane The eldest kissane married twice,
his second wife being the mother of the in
fine tial citizen referred to, SO that between
him and Rogers half brotherhood only ex
lists ~
Having gained these facts in advance the
reporter asked Mr. Hart concerning them
He did not hesitate to confirm the story as
above related Although he, of course
firmly declined to give the name of Kis
sane's brother.
What is his rank as q lawyerF was
asked.
He Is one OF the three or four formest
lawyers of California, was the reply.
HIS he held political Officer
'sYesn
'IIas he ever been on the benchg"
"No.n
why did he assume different name than
that of his brotherf'
why, to protect himself from the conse
quences of the possible exposure of the lat
ter
Then, they are not generally known Out
there to be brothersf
mo, no, they are generally regarded ..